FedEx cup Championship 2025: scheffler and McIlroy Lead the Charge in Pursuit of $10 Million prize
The 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs have narrowed to an elite field of 30 golfers,all vying for the coveted FedEx Cup title and a significant $10 million prize. This year’s Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club promises a thrilling finale, distinguished by a new format that grants every competitor an equal starting point. Unlike previous iterations with staggered starts, all 30 players will begin the tournament at even par, leveling the playing field and intensifying the competition.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters as the clear favorite, aiming to achieve a historic back-to-back victory in the season-long race. “Scheffler is looking to cement his legacy as one of the game’s dominant forces,” noted one golf analyst. He will tee off at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday alongside Rory McIlroy, the most decorated FedEx Cup champion with three titles.
Before the top two players in the FedEx Cup standings begin their quest, a series of compelling pairings will grace the course. Notably, Viktor hovland and Collin Morikawa, linked by their collegiate history and simultaneous entry into professional golf, will begin their tournaments at noon. Their rivalry,potentially foreshadowing future encounters at Bethpage Black,adds an intriguing layer to the competition.
The pairings continue to showcase exciting matchups. Wyndham Championship winner Cameron young will play alongside Swedish standout Ludvig Åberg at 12:49 p.m., followed by a pairing of georgia Bulldogs Russell Henley and Sepp Straka at 1:27 p.m. Two U.S. Open champions, Justin Rose and this year’s victor J.J. Spaun, will round out the penultimate group at 1:49 p.m.
Here’s a complete look at the first-round pairings for the 2025 Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club:
All times Eastern
2025 Tour Championship tee times, Thursday pairings
- 11:16 a.m. – Chris gotterup, Akshay Bhatia
- 11:27 a.m.- Jacob Bridgeman, Sungjae Im
- 11:38 a.m. – Nick Taylor, Harry Hall
- 11:49 a.m. – Hideki Matsuyama,Shane lowry
- 12:00 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland
- 12:16 p.m. – Corey Conners, Patrick Cantlay
- 12:27 p.m. – Sam Burns, Brian Harman
- 12:38 p.m. – Andrew Novak, Keegan Bradley
- 12:49 p.m. – Cameron Young, Ludvig Åberg
- 1:00 p.m. – Harris English, Justin Thomas
- 1:16 p.m. – Robert MacIntyre, Maverick McNealy
- 1:27 p.m. – Russell Henley, Sepp Straka
- 1:38 p.m. – Tommy Fleetwood, Ben Griffin
- 1:49 p.m.- J.J. Spaun, justin Rose
- 2:00 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy
Fans can follow the action throughout Round 1 on Thursday with live leaderboard updates. The stage is set for a captivating showdown as the world’s top golfers battle for the ultimate prize in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Reader question: – how does the new format impact the FedEx Cup? The 2025 Tour Championship will start all 30 players at even par. This levels the playing field, eliminating staggered starts. The change aims to intensify competition and make the finale more exciting for fans.
